A new virus called influenza or tomato fever has emerged in India in recent days. Since May 6, more than 82 Indian infants have been infected with this mysterious disease, the symptoms of which are similar to monkeypox.
The flu or tomato fever is causing concern in India. And for good reason, since May 6, more than 82 Indian babies have been infected with this mysterious disease, the symptoms of which are similar to those of monkey pox.
Round, red rashes
This new virus owes its name to the rashes visible in the form of round, red blisters on the bodies of infected children. In some cases, explain The Indian Express, legs and hands can also change color. Many other symptoms have been identified. The virus would cause fever, nausea, diarrhea, cough, joint pain or vomiting. The tomato flu occurs mainly in young children under the age of five.
A contagious disease, but not fatal
“It is not a fatal disease, but it is contagious and can spread from person to person, although the true ways in which the infection spreads are still being investigated,” says Dr Subhash Chandra, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi, as quoted by the outlet India Today. The tomato flu also causes irritation near the mouth, caused by dehydration.
But then, where does this mysterious virus come from? Many virologists are working to determine the origin of the disease. According to them, it could be a variant of the well-known viral infection of parents, the foot-hand-mouth syndrome. Others hypothesize a link to monkey pox.